The Neymar effect: Santos in talks with forgotten ex-Liverpool & Juventus man as squad overhaul continues

According to Brazilian outletGE, Santos have put forward a proposal to bring in Arthur on loan until the end of the current season, with an option to make the move permanent. He shares a strong bond with Neymar, having played alongside him in the Brazilian national team. However, at just 28 years old, Arthur finds himself on the fringes at Juventus, with the Italian club actively looking for ways to offload him.

Although Juventus included Arthur in their Champions League squad list, he has not been selected for a single match this season. During the last transfer window, the midfielder was hoping for either another loan spell or a permanent move, but no concrete offers materialised. In fact, Arthur’s last official appearance came on May 29, 2023, when he played 74 minutes for Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final. However, his team suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Greek side Olympiacos.

Arthur began his professional career at Gremio, where he rose to prominence, winning the Copa do Brasil in 2016 and the Copa Libertadores in 2017. His impressive performances in Brazil attracted the attention of Barcelona, who secured his signature in 2018. During his time at Barca, Arthur played a key role in midfield, helping the club secure the 2018-19 La Liga title and the Spanish Super Cup.

With Juventus looking to part ways with the midfielder, a move to Santos could present Arthur with a much-needed opportunity to revive his career. In his first two seasons in Turin, Arthur made more than 30 appearances each year. However, his role in the team diminished in the 2022-23 campaign, leading to a loan move to Liverpool. Unfortunately, his time in England was marred by injury, as he played just two matches before undergoing surgery for a thigh issue.